His lips moved slightly as he smiled. I closed my eyes, unable to meet his gaze.

 "I want to devour you wholly," he whispered as he leaned down.

 His lips touched mine—a soft, gentle touch. An electric jolt rushed straight to my chest, forcing me to open my eyes. We exchanged a glance and I turned away to hide my flushed face. My heart was beating so fast that I felt as though I could have died right there.

 An invincible warrior, defeated by a single kiss.

 "Congratulations to you, now you are husband and wife!"

 The High Priest's voice echoed through the cathedral, followed by joyful applause echoing in the air.

 Claude slowly pulled back. I glanced at him to read his expression, but he stood motionless, holding his usual composed posture.

 Disappointment clouded over me.

"Does he not like me?"

 I lowered my gaze and stared at the ring that bound us together. Maybe he didn’t even want to kiss me. That’s why his lips barely touched mine.

 I knew this was merely a political marriage, yet I was still expecting... something.

 Anyway, who could ever love a hideous thing like me? What was I even expecting?

 I had forgotten my own golden rule: never trust anyone. First they gain your trust, then they stab you in the back. Just because he showed me a fraction of kindness, I started to...

I let out a bitter quiet scoff and did not raise my head again.

 Meanwhile, Claude watched her intensely.

 Why is she standing like that? I need to know what is going on in her mind.

 He made up his mind to ask her. Claude moved forward, but before he could reach her, the noble crowd gathered around them to offer their congratulations. He never got the chance to speak to her.

………
Despite all of these thoughts, I was unable to shake off the lingering warmth where his lips had touched mine, no matter how hard I tried to rid myself of it.

 Before I could be consumed by my own spiraling thoughts, the ceremony concluded.

 A maid escorted me back to my chambers. "Finally, I will get to rest," I murmured to Ana.

 Ana opened the heavy doors to the bedchamber. Inside, dozens of maids bowed as one.

"Congratulations, Your Highness!" They chorused in perfect sync.

 They were arranged in strict order—the head maid stood at the front, while the others formed two parallel lines facing me.

 "Thank you," I said, feeling a sudden wave of frustration as my cheeks flushed red.

 The head maid clapped her hands briskly. "Alright, let us begin! It is our duty to make Your Highness shine tonight!"

Before I could even open my mouth to protest, the maids rushed forward and dragged me straight toward the bath.

 "Are they going to bathe me again?" I groaned internally. "Why are they doing this all over again?"

 They moved with a terrifying intensity, as though possessed by ghosts. I was already so exhausted that I could barely process what was happening.

 They pushed me into the steaming, rose-scented water, scrubbing my skin until it glowed.

 Scrubbing... oiling... massaged again...

I had never been this exhausted in my entire life—not even during the most brutal swordsmanship training. Why did I have to endure such a lavish ritual just to close my eyes for the night? A simple, quiet bath would have been perfectly fine.

 Once I finally stepped out of the bathtub, wrapped in fresh robes, I noticed two of the maids arguing in hushed, hurried tones.

 I let out a heavy sigh. "What is wrong? Why are you two arguing?"

 Both of them turned toward me instantly, holding up two different pieces of fabric.

 I stared at what looked like nothing more than a scrap of cloth. "Why are you arguing over a rag?"

 "It is not a rag, Your Highness!" Both of them cried in unison.

 One of them stepped forward excitedly. "Your Highness, you simply must wear this one tonight!"

 The other shoved her aside and rushed forward. "No, Your Highness! You should wear this one!"

I stared at the garments, my breath hitching in absolute shock. What on earth is this?

 "Am I supposed to wear these?"

 They were crafted from sheer lace and flowing silk that would barely cover anything at all.

 "No. Absolutely not. Bring me my usual nightwear," I demanded.

 One of the maids stepped forward timidly. "Your Highness, it is our duty to serve you and make you look as breathtaking as possible tonight—"

"I said, bring me my usual one."

 A wave of fear and nervousness washed over every maid in the room. Silence fell until the Head Maid stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

 "Your Highness... we do not have your usual nightwear."

 "What?!" I snapped. "Where are they?"

 "By command of His Majesty, your entire wardrobe has been replaced with the Dawn Empire's latest designs," she explained softly. "However, we do have a different collection of nightgowns here. You may choose from one of these instead."

 Huh?!

 I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. What on earth is he trying to pull by replacing my entire wardrobe?

 "Bring them here. I will select one myself," I ordered.

They brought out the options, but to me, they all looked virtually the same—far too revealing. In the end, I reluctantly chose the one gown that seemed slightly less scandalous than the rest.

Once I was dressed, the Head Maid bowed low.

 "Your Highness," she said, slowly opening the main doors

 "We shall escort you to the Emperor's chambers now," the head maid stated.

 I braced myself for a long walk, but after stepping into the corridor, we only walked a few paces before stopping in front of a pair of massive, heavily carved double doors.

 What? His room was right next to mine, and I had no idea. He had been beside me this entire time, separated by a single wall.

 "His Majesty is currently taking his bath," the head maid said softly. "We shall take our leave now, Your Highness. Congratulations once again."

All the maids bowed in unison before vanishing down the dark corridor within seconds.

 I stepped into the room. It was surprisingly simple, yet lavish and immaculately maintained. Although the heavy velvet curtains were drawn shut, faint silver moonlight seeped through the edges. I sat on the edge of the bed, my body aching with fatigue. I will just lie down for a second, I thought.

 It was a strange, terrifying realization, but ever since the day I arrived at the Dawn Empire, I had been sleeping so soundly. Back home, my nights were a constant torment. Though the old nightmares still managed to find me here occasionally, my body felt miraculously light in this place.

 Today, I will make everything clear to him. I do not want his pity or his kindness for no reason.

 My mind flashed back to the kiss, the heat rising in my cheeks again. I should better forget about it. My thoughts were in complete turmoil, but dwelling on them only exhausted me further. Gradually, the darkness took over, and I drifted off to sleep.

………

Claude hurried out of the bath, splashing water onto the marble floor. Water droplets trickled down his skin as he stood up. Faint moonlight illuminated his sculpted body, revealing an old scar running across his left arm. Running a hand through his damp hair, he grabbed a dark robe and slipped it on.

 He stepped out into the bedroom, holding a towel to dry his hair.

 His gaze shifted toward the bed, where Charlotte lay completely unbothered, fast asleep.

 A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "What am I going to do with you?" he whispered to the quiet room. "How can you sleep so peacefully when I am over here barely able to control myself?"

 Stepping forward, he sat on the edge of the bed beside Charlotte and gently ran his fingers through her hair.

 A gentle, warm morning light began to filter through the sheer curtains of the bed, casting a soft, golden glow over the pillows. But it was not the sun that woke me.

 I felt a firm weight resting across my waist. I opened my eyes hurriedly, only to be met with a bare, muscular chest directly in front of my face.

 My breath caught in my throat. I wrenched myself from his hold and snapped my head away, my cheeks burning instantly. My heart pounded furiously against my ribs, leaving me completely breathless.

When I finally forced my gaze back to him, he was smirking lazily.

 "Good morning, my Empress."